Medication utilization and illness management study in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Little is known about rates of illness, illness management, or drug utilization in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE

To determine patterns of illness and drug utilization in urban and rural households in Nigeria.

METHODS

A survey was developed and validated for data collection. A random sample from some communities in Owan East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria, was selected, based on a national population survey, using both the supervisory and enumeration areas of the LGA. We determined the sample size using methods described by Cochran, including 5% precision, 5% α, and allowing for 5% data error. Respondents were queried in face-to-face interviews about illnesses in their households during the previous 2 weeks; demographic information; how they were treated; and where they sought treatment, advice, and medicines. As well, we determined how they kept families well. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data.

RESULTS

Out of 549 persons, 497 completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 90.5%. Of these respondents, 395 (79.5%) reported 517 illnesses during the previous 2 weeks. The average age of the ill person was 30.6 ± 24.3 years (range 3 months to 95 years). Percentages by age were: infants younger than 1 year 1.0%, children aged 1-17 years 36.0%, and adults aged ≥18 years 63.0%. Average monthly income per household was low (13,247 naira/88.31 US$). Malaria and its symptoms (fever, chills, joint pain, headache, gastrointestinal problems) and upper respiratory symptoms were most common. A majority (44.8%) of the ill persons self-treated, with 93.6% using antibiotic and antimalarial drugs. Among the households surveyed, 42.1% had drugs on hand (average 2.3 ± 1.3, range 1-7, median 2) for disease prevention, and the most used drugs were analgesics (46.2%) and antimalarial drugs (37.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Illness is frequent in Nigeria and is usually self-treated with antibiotic and antimalarial drugs. Medications were reported to be the most frequently used measure to prevent household illness. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Haemoglobin A1c levels and subsequent cardiovascular disease in persons without diabetes: a meta-analysis of prospective cohorts

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relationship between HbA(1c) levels and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes in individuals without diabetes.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase and Scopus from initiation of the study until the end of 2009. One reviewer searched and another verified findings. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another. We accepted prospective studies in any language reporting three or more quartiles for HbA(1c) levels. Within quartiles, authors must have presented both numbers of patient-years at risk and cardiovascular outcomes. Outcomes per person-time at risk were regressed on average HbA(1c) values using Poisson regression. We pooled β coefficients using Cochran's semi-weighted (inverse variance) random-effects model. Study quality was assessed using the Downs-Black scale.

RESULTS

We investigated 16 datasets (nine for total cardiovascular events and seven for death) from five papers with 44,158 patients (44% men) over 404,899 patient-years of follow-up. There were 1,366 cardiovascular deaths (3.1%; 3.37/1,000 person-years) and 2,142 cardiovascular events (4.9%; 5.29/1,000 person-years). The overall meta-analytic β coefficients were 0.720 (95% CI 0.307-1.133) and 0.757 (95% CI 0.382-1.132) for cardiac death and events, respectively. Compared with the baseline value of 0.0427, an HbA(1c) level of 0.05 was associated with a relative risk for cardiovascular death of 1.13 (95% CI 1.05-1.21), a 0.06 value with 1.34 (95% CI 1.13-1.58), and a 0.07 HbA(1c) with relative risk 1.58 (95% CI 1.22-2.06). Results for total cardiovascular events were similar. The average study quality was 0.7 (70%).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We conclude that HbA(1c) was significantly associated with cardiovascular events and deaths in persons without diabetes.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of warming local anesthetics on injection pain

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Local anesthetics are the main class of analgesics used for pain management during laceration repair and other minor surgeries; however, they are administered by injection, which is painful. Warming local anesthetics has been proposed as a cost-free intervention that reduces injection pain. A systematic review of the effectiveness of this technique has not yet been undertaken. We determine the effectiveness of warming local anesthetics to reduce pain in adults and children undergoing local anesthetic infiltration into intradermal or subcutaneous tissue.

METHODS

We used published articles from MEDLINE (1950 to June 2010), EMBASE (1980 to June 2010), CINAHL (1982 to June 2010), the Cochrane Library (second quarter 2010), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to June 2010), and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database (1938 to June 2010). We included studies with randomized or pseudorandomized designs and healthy subjects or patients receiving subcutaneous or intradermal injection of local anesthetics that were warmed (body temperature) or not (room temperature). Studies of regional anesthesia and intraarticular, spinal, or periorbital administration of local anesthetics were excluded. Data were extracted onto predesigned forms and verified by 2 reviewers. Quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome was self-reported pain as assessed by a visual analog or numeric rating scale. Data were combined with mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were retrieved for close examination and 19 studies met inclusion criteria. A total of 18 studies with 831 patients could be included in a meta-analysis. Seventeen studies had an unclear risk of bias and 1 had a high risk of bias. A mean difference of -11 mm (95% CI -14 to -7 mm) on a 100-mm scale was found in favor of warming local anesthetics. Subgroup analysis of 8 studies investigating the effect of warming on buffered local anesthetics yielded similar results: -7 mm (95% CI -12 to -3 mm).

CONCLUSION

Warming local anesthetics leads to less pain during injection and therefore should be done before administration.

International drug price comparisons: quality assessment

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively summarize results (i.e., prices and affordability) reported from international drug price comparison studies and assess their methodological quality.

METHODS

A systematic search of the most relevant databases-Medline, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA), and Scopus, from their inception to May 2009-was conducted to identify original research comparing international drug prices. International drug price information was extracted and recorded from accepted papers. Affordability was reported as drug prices adjusted for income. Study quality was assessed using six criteria: use of similar countries, use of a representative sample of drugs, selection of specific types of prices, identification of drug packaging, different weights on price indices, and the type of currency conversion used.

RESULTS

Of the 1 828 studies identified, 21 were included. Only one study adequately addressed all quality issues. A large variation in study quality was observed due to the many methods used to conduct the drug price comparisons, such as different indices, economic parameters, price types, basket of drugs, and more. Thus, the quality of published studies was considered poor. Results varied across studies, but generally, higher income countries had higher drug prices. However, after adjusting drug prices for affordability, higher income countries had more affordable prices than lower income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences between drug prices and affordability in different countries were found. Low income countries reported less affordability of drugs, leaving room for potential problems with drug access, and consequently, a negative impact on health. The quality of the literature on this topic needs improvement.

Tenofovir and entecavir are the most effective antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and Bayesian meta-analyses

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The relative efficacies of licensed antiviral therapies for treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection in randomized controlled trials have not been determined. We evaluated the relative efficacies of the first 12 months of CHB treatments.

METHODS

Drugs evaluated were lamivudine, pegylated interferon, adefovir, entecavir, telbivudine, and tenofovir, as monotherapies and combination therapies, in treatment-naive individuals. Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of the first 12 months of therapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and/or HBeAg-negative patients with CHB published in English before October 31, 2009. Bayesian mixed treatment comparisons were used to calculate the odds ratios, including 95% credible intervals and predicted probabilities of surrogate outcomes to determine the relative effects of each treatment.

RESULTS

In HBeAg-positive patients, tenofovir was most effective in inducing undetectable levels of HBV DNA (predicted probability, 88%), normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (66%), HBeAg seroconversion (20%), and hepatitis B surface antigen loss (5%); it ranked third in histologic improvement of the liver (53%). Entecavir was most effective in improving liver histology (56%), second for inducing undetectable levels of HBV DNA (61%) and normalization of ALT levels (70%), and third in loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (1%). In HBeAg-negative patients, tenofovir was the most effective in inducing undetectable levels of HBV DNA (94%) and improving liver histology (65%); it ranked second for normalization of ALT levels (73%).

CONCLUSIONS

In the first year of treatment for CHB, tenofovir and entecavir are the most potent oral antiviral agents for HBeAg-positive patients; tenofovir is most effective for HBeAg-negative patients.

Relationship between blood glucose and carotid intima media thickness: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increased coronary intima media thickness (CIMT) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, as have increased glucose levels. The link has not been established between glucose and CIMT; therefore, we sought to assess the relationship between glucose and CIMT.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception through 2009 for original research reporting both postprandial glucose levels and CIMT measurements. Glucose was classified as normal, impaired, or diabetic. Outputs included inverse variance weighted effect size and also average correlation (using the Wang and Bushman approach). Data were combined using a random effects meta-analytic model. Heterogeneity as assessed using chi(2) and I(2); bias was examined using Egger plots and Begg-Mazumdar tau. Polynomial functions (i.e., linear, quadratic, cubic, quartic) were fit to the data and the Akaike Information Criteria were used to select the optimal model.

RESULTS

We identified 172 papers; 161 were rejected (19 inappropriate design, 8 had selected patients, 101 inappropriate outcomes) leaving 11 accepted. We used data from 15,592 patients (8250 normals, 3013 impaired glucose, 4329 diabetics). There was no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias. The overall correlation was 0.082 (CI95%:0.066-0.098); the overall effect size was 0.294 (0.245-0.343) between diabetics and normals and 0.137 (0.072-0.202) between normals and those with impaired glucose. The equation of best fit was linear (CIMT = 0.828 + 0.009*glucose).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a small but significant relationship between postprandial glucose levels and CIMT, which have both been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Adverse effects of antidepressant use in pregnancy: an evaluation of fetal growth and preterm birth

OBJECTIVE

To compare the rates of low birth weight, preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA), in pregnancy outcomes among women who were exposed and nonexposed to antidepressants during pregnancy.

METHODS

At The Motherisk Program, we analyzed pregnancy outcomes of 1,243 women in our database who took various antidepressants during their pregnancy. Nine hundred and twenty-eight of these women and 928 nonexposed women who delivered a live born infant were matched for age, (+/-2 years), smoking and alcohol use and specific pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There were 82 (8.8%) preterm deliveries in the antidepressant group and 50 (5.4%) in the comparison group. OR: 1.7 (95% CI: 1.18-2.45). There were 89 (9.6%) in the antidepressant group and 76 (8.2%) in the comparison group who delivered babies evaluated as SGA; OR: 1.19 (95% CI: 0.86-1.64). The mean birth weight in the antidepressant group was 3,449+/-591 g and 3,455+/-515 g in the comparison group (P=.8).

CONCLUSION

The use of antidepressants in pregnancy appears to be associated with a small, but statistically significant increased rate in the incidence of preterm births, confirming results from several other studies. It is difficult to ascertain whether this small increased rate of preterm births is confounded by depression, antidepressants, or both. However, we did not find a statistically significant difference in the incidence of SGA or lower birth weight. This information adds to limited data available in the literature regarding these outcomes following the use of antidepressants in pregnancy.

Cost-of-illness study of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Colombia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the per patient and overall cost of illness of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Colombia from Ministry of Health and societal perspectives.

METHODS

A published Markov transition model was adapted for Colombia, using the clinical expertise of a Colombian endocrinologist. Transition probabilities for the model were derived from an international literature review. A model was run for a time horizon of 42 years. Direct resources (drugs, laboratory, medical, hospital, other health care) were identified and cost was ascertained by using national price lists, international health care guidelines, and other Colombian studies or data from other countries. Indirect costs (work time lost) were calculated by using the human capital approach. Annual and lifetime direct and indirect costs, in 2007 U.S. dollars with a 5% discount rate, were determined on a per patient basis and projected to the overall Colombian population. Costs were clustered according to treatments and outcomes.

RESULTS

The estimated annual cost was $2.7 billion from the societal perspective and $921 million from the Ministry of Health perspective. The annual direct cost per patient was $288, and the indirect cost was $559 (total = $847). This cost was distributed across disease outcomes as follows: diabetes treatment (drugs), 47%; cardiac and coronary disease, 24%; stroke, 15%; amputation, 9%; nephropathy, 3%; retinopathy, 2%. Macrovascular complications made up 86% of the annual direct costs and 95% of the annual indirect costs of T2DM.

CONCLUSIONS

We estimated the annual cost of T2DM for Colombia from societal, Ministry of Health, and Colombian Health System perspectives. We also estimated annual direct cost per patient and the cost of treating diabetes and macrovascular complications. The economic burden is substantial and comparable to results for other countries. The model showed a logical disease progression.

The effectiveness of Proctofoam-HC for treatment of hemorrhoids in late pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Currently no topical anti-hemorrhoidal agents have been studied for effectiveness in pregnancy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Proctofoam-HC used during the last trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

In this prospective, open-label, observational study, pregnant women prescribed Proctofoam-HC were asked to complete two telephone interview questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 88 women completed the study. All hemorrhoidal symptoms, including pain, pruritus, swelling, itching, decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and overall well-being improved. The improvement was clinically very significant after correction for potential placebo effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Proctofoam-HC appears to provide effective treatment of hemorrhoids in late pregnancy.

Rates of spontaneous and therapeutic abortions following use of antidepressants in pregnancy: results from a large prospective database

OBJECTIVE

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy remains a controversial issue, and there is little information on the risk of spontaneous abortions following antidepressant exposure in early pregnancy. We sought to examine whether use of antidepressants increases the rates of spontaneous abortion (SA) and therapeutic abortion (TA) in women exposed in early pregnancy.

METHODS

In a cohort of women who contacted the Motherisk program during pregnancy, we compared two groups of women, one exposed and the other not exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy, and calculated the associated rates of SA and TA.

RESULTS

Among 937 women exposed to antidepressants prior to and during early pregnancy, there were 122 SAs (13.0%) including three ectopic pregnancies, and in the comparison group there were 75 SAs (8.0%) and no ectopic pregnancies. The relative risk was 1.63 (95% CI 1.24-2.14). Three-fold more women reported a TA in the exposed group, 26 (2.4%) compared to 8 (0.7%) in the non-exposed group (RR 3.25; 95% CI 1.48-7.14). A sub-analysis revealed that in both groups, of 338 women with a prior SA, 58 (17.2%) reported having a SA in the current pregnancy, compared with 61/652 (9.4%) with no prior SA (chi square = 12.09, P lt; 0.001). In the antidepressant group, the incidence was 20.7%, and in the non-exposed group, it was 13.3%. Logistic regression confirmed that only antidepressant exposure and prior SA were significantly associated with current SA.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to antidepressants in the first trimester of pregnancy appears to be associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of SA and decision to terminate a pregnancy. The risk for SA is further elevated with a history of previous SA. However, any underlying depression must be taken into consideration when evaluating these results.

Probiotic safety in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces spp

Our objective in this study was to review systematically the evidence for safety of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces spp. during pregnancy and to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Eleven databases were searched from inception to September 2007 for RCTs of probiotic use during pregnancy. Two independent reviewers searched databases. Random-effects models combined data. Eleven studies on Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium examined 1505 patients for four outcomes with no data heterogeneity; no miscarriage data were reported. Five studies reported Caesarean section outcomes (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.65 to 1.19). Six studies reported birth weight (weighted difference 45 g; 95% CI -181 to 271). Three studies reported gestational age (weighted difference 0.4 weeks; 95%CI -0.4 to 1.2). No malformations were reported in the probiotic group. No RCTs were available for Saccharomyces during pregnancy. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium had no effect on the incidence of Caesarean section, birth weight, or gestational age. The safety of Saccharomyces during pregnancy is unknown.

Effect of selected antihypertensives, antidiabetics, statins and diuretics on adjunctive medical treatment of glaucoma: a population based study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of open angle glaucoma increases with age, with many patients also receiving medications for non-ocular systemic diseases. Little is known about how systemic medications impact on the need for adjunctive therapy with prostaglandin analogues (PGA).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether systemic medications for hypertension, cholesterol, or glucose influence the need for adjunctive intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering medications in patients using PGAs.

METHODS

Pharmaceutical records from the Québec prescription database provided a sample of patients receiving prescriptions for bimatoprost, latanoprost, or travoprost, from which subjects receiving > or =1 prescription for antihypertensives, antidiabetics. diuretics, and statins were identified. Chi-square tests compared proportions using PGAs to those using PGAs + adjunctive therapy, based on the use or non-use of systemic medications; a logistic regression was performed post hoc to adjust for gender and age.

RESULTS

Of the 8548 evaluated patients (all using PGAs); 2934 (34.3%) took none of the studied systemic drugs. For the 5614 patients taking systemic medications, significantly fewer (p < 0.001) required an additional IOP lowering medication if taking a systemic antihypertensive medication. The use of a statin or a diabetic medication, alone or in combination, in addition to a PGA, made no significant difference in the need for adjunct glaucoma therapy. Individual drugs associated with significantly less utilization of adjunctive glaucoma medications were calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and combination antihypertensive therapies.

DISCUSSION

A profound association between systemic antihypertensive use and a reduced need for adjunct topical IOP lowering medications in patients using the same prostaglandin analogue for at least one year was found.

LIMITATIONS

The use of a prescription claims database without patient compliance or patient outcomes may not reflect actual patient medication use. In addition, these findings may not be applicable to all patients initiating prostaglandin analogues.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world population-based evaluation, a significant association exists between using systemic antihypertensive medications and reduced use of adjunctive IOP lowering therapies. These results confirm findings from previous studies suggesting an IOP lowering effect with systemic agents or some synergy with topical therapies.

Incidence of major malformations in infants following antidepressant exposure in pregnancy: results of a large prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain if antidepressants, as a group, increase the risk for major malformations, as well as assessing each individual antidepressant.

METHODS

At The Motherisk Program, we analyzed pregnancy outcomes of women (n = 1243) from prospectively collected cases in our database, who were exposed to antidepressants during their pregnancy. We then compared them with a matched comparison group of women (n = 1243) who were not exposed (nonteratogen group).

RESULTS

Women (n = 928) who fit the criteria for inclusion, were exposed in the first trimester of pregnancy, and gave birth to a live-born infant were matched to women (n = 928) in the comparison group. There were 30 (3.2%) major malformations in the antidepressant group and 31 (3.3%) in the comparison group (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.61). The antidepressants included in the analysis were: bupropion (113), citalopram (184), escitalopram (21), fluvoxamine (52), nefazodone (49), paroxetine (148), mirtazepine (68), fluoxetine (61), trazodone (17), venlafaxine (154), and sertraline (61).

CONCLUSIONS

As a group, antidepressant use in the first trimester of pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk for major malformation above the baseline. In addition, no individual antidepressant was associated with an increased risk of a specific malformation.

Willingness to pay for a treatment for pain in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects 240 per 100 000 Canadians. Of these patients, 10-80% (average 70%) experience pain. Sativex is a cannabis-based drug recently approved for neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we determine individuals' preferences between two treatment options as well as the willingness to pay (WTP) for Sativex, expressed as the amount they would pay in insurance premiums to have access to that treatment.

METHODS

The WTP instrument comprised a decision board as a visual aid, and a questionnaire. A decision board helps clinicians standardize the presentation of treatment information. In this study, the decision board described two treatment options: a three-drug combination (gabapentin, amytriptyline, acetaminophen [paracetamol] {i.e. pills}) and the three-drug combination plus Sativex (i.e. 'pills and oral spray'). Information on efficacy and adverse effects was taken from trial data; wording was guided by a panel of neurologists and tested for clarity on lay people. The instrument was administered to 500 participants from Canada's general population using the bidding game approach. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) age of participants was 39 (13) years, with a female : male distribution of 56 : 44. The decision board was presented in both English (85%) and French (15%). Of 500 interviewees, 253 (50.6%) chose the 'pills and oral spray'. Mean monthly WTP for the insurance premium for those who chose the 'pills and oral spray' was Can dollars 8 (SD +/- 15, median 4, range 0-200).

CONCLUSIONS

Assuming that 51% of the general population are willing to pay additional premiums as reported in this study, the premiums collected would cover the cost of Sativex for all Canadian MS patients experiencing pain, with a surplus.

Assessing the reporting and scientific quality of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials of treatments for anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) constitute the highest level of evidence, but their usefulness depends on their quality.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the reporting and scientific quality of meta-analyses of RCTs on treatments for anxiety disorders.

METHODS

Criteria for peer-reviewed, full-text retrieval included meta-analyses of RCTs of drugs versus active ingredient placebo, standard care, or psychotherapy. Sample populations were required to meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Two reviewers independently searched EMBASE, EBM Reviews, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid HealthSTAR, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from inception to August 2007. Search terms included meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials, anxiety, anxiolytic, anti-depressant/antidepressant, and pharmacotherapy, without language restrictions. References and reviews were searched manually. Quality was assessed independently by 2 raters, using the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) and the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire (OQAQ). The QUOROM was used to assess the reporting quality of the study, using an 18-item checklist, and the scientific quality was assessed with the OQAQ's 10-item checklist. Kendall's tau measured interrater reliability with statistical significance at p less than or equal to 0.01. Means and standard deviations described the overall quality. A time series analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 136 titles and abstracts were reviewed; 48 were retrieved, including 6 from the manual search. Thirty-two were excluded (not pooled analyses, inappropriate condition/treatment, duplications), leaving 16 studies published between 1995 and 2007. Agreement was high: tau = 0.801 (p < 0.01) for QUOROM and 0.834 (p < 0.01) for OQAQ. QUOROM quality scored 61% +/- 19%. Overall, the results sections of the studies scored lowest, while the introduction and discussion sections scored highest. The overall scientific quality was 58% +/- 28%. Most studies appropriately linked results to primary objectives but did not report how bias was avoided or how study validity was assessed. Quality increased nonsignificantly over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting/scientific quality was considered less than fair-to-good. Stakeholders should strive for higher scientific quality of meta-analyses.

The safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor treatments in rheumatoid arthritis: meta and exposure-adjusted pooled analyses of serious adverse events

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety of biological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using results from randomised controlled trials (RCT).

METHODS

The literature was searched to December 2007 for RCT evaluating inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) for RA. Safety data were abstracted and risk estimates were calculated using three approaches, meta-analysis with and without adjustment for exposure and simple exposure-adjusted pooling.

RESULTS

Eighteen randomised trials involving 8808 RA subjects were included. Treatment with recommended doses of anti-TNF found no increase in the odds of death (odds ratio (OR) 1.39; 95% CI 0.74 to 2.62), serious adverse events (OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.32), serious infection (OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.63), lymphoma (OR 1.26; 95% CI 0.52 to 3.06), non-melanoma skin cancers (OR 1.27; 95% CI 0.67 to 2.42) or the composite endpoint of non-cutaneous cancers plus melanomas (OR 1.31; 95% CI 0.69 to 2.48) when evaluated using the unadjusted meta-analytic method. Risk estimates were similar with the other methods. For subjects who received two to three times the recommended doses of anti-TNF the risk of serious infection was increased with the unadjusted meta-analytic and pooled analysis, (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.31 to 3.26) and (risk ratio (RR) 1.83; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.85), respectively, but not increased in the exposure-adjusted meta-analysis (RR 1.99; 95% CI 0.90 to 4.37). Meta-regression identified that the risk of serious infection with anti-TNF therapy decreases with increasing trial duration (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Meta-analytic and exposure-adjusted pooled analyses on over 8800 RA subjects in RCT treated over an average of 0.8 years did not identify an increased risk of serious adverse events with recommended doses. High-dose anti-TNF therapy was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of serious infections.

Sensitivity of Patient Outcomes to Pharmacist Interventions. Part III: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Hyperlipidemia Management

Background

Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and control is pivotal ror preventing disease complications. Multidisciplinary interventions, including those performed by pharmacists, are important for improving patients’ outcomes.

Objective:

To quantify the impact of pharmacist interventions in enhancing patients’ outcomes.

Methods

TWO reviewers searched International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. 3rd Quarter, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (all from inception to July 2007) for pharmacist interventions in hyperlipidemia. Quality was assessed using the Downs-Black scale. Data extracted included the number of patients enrolled; study characteristics; intervention type; and pre- and postintervention measures for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, total cholesterol, adherence, and quality of life. A random effects meta-analysis combined data. Heterogeneity of effects was tested using χ5 analysis. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Begg-Mazumdar statistic.

Results:

Forty-eight studies were found; 23 met inclusion criteria. Study settings included medical clinic/center (n = 12), community pharmacy (n = 8), hospital (n = 2), and patient homes (n = 1). Article quality was good (71% ± 7.0%). Patient education (78%) and medication management (74%) were the most common interventions. Total cholesterol was significantly reduced from baseline (mean ± SD; 34.3 ± 10.3 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and above that for controls (22.0 ± 10.4 mg/dL: p = 0.034). LDL-C was reduced significantly from baseline (32.6 ± 11.3 mg/dL; p = 0.004), but not significantly more than controls (17.5 ± 10.9 mg/dL; p = 0.109). A clinically relevant but not statistically significant reduction in triglycerides was found. No impact on HDL-C levels was found. Patients’ adherence to pharmacotherapeutic regimens and quality of life were considered possibly not sensitive and possibly sensitive to pharmacist interventions, respectively.

Conclusions:

Total cholesterol is sensitive to pharmacist interventions, while LDL-C and triglyceride levels are possibly sensitive to those interventions. Further research is required for these outcomes.

Evaluation of the risk of congenital cardiovascular defects associated with use of paroxetine during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

In 2005-2006, several studies noted an increased risk of cardiovascular birth defects associated with maternal use of paroxetine compared with other antidepressants in the same class. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether paroxetine was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular defects in infants of women exposed to the drug during the first trimester of pregnancy.

METHOD

From teratology information services around the world, the authors collected prospectively ascertained, unpublished cases of infants exposed to paroxetine early in the first trimester of pregnancy and compared them with an unexposed cohort. The authors also contacted the authors of published database studies on antidepressants as a class to determine how many of the women in those studies had been exposed to paroxetine and the rates of cardiovascular defects in their infants.

RESULTS

The authors were able to ascertain the outcomes of 1,174 infants from eight services. The rates of cardiac defects in the paroxetine group and in the unexposed group were both 0.7%. The rate in the database studies (2,061 cases from four studies) was 1.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Paroxetine does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular defects following use in early pregnancy, as the incidence in more than 3,000 infants was well within the population incidence of approximately 1%.

Cost-effectiveness of escitalopram for generalized anxiety disorder in Canada

BACKGROUND

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common chronic disease with a lifetime prevalence estimated to range from 4.2% to 12.7%. GAD places a substantial burden upon patients and healthcare resources.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cost-effectiveness of escitalopram for GAD in a Canadian primary care setting from two perspectives [Ministry of Health (MoH) and society (SOC)].

METHODS

A 24-week decision-analytic model was constructed using Data/TreeAge software. Patients were treated with escitalopram or generic paroxetine. Clinical rates were determined from the literature; expert opinion guided model pathway development. Effectiveness was measured as 'symptom-free days' (SFDs). Analyses from MoH perspective focused on direct costs of treatment (drugs, physician visits), while SOC also accounted for indirect costs associated with workdays lost due to GAD. Unit costs of healthcare services and wage rates were obtained from standard Canadian sources (2005 Canadian $ values). Cost-effectiveness was expressed as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Extensive one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Escitalopram was associated with higher expected number of SFDs than paroxetine (86.4 vs. 77.0 SFD, respectively). From the MoH perspective, expected costs were Can$724 and Can$663 for escitalopram and paroxetine arms, respectively, resulting in the ICER for escitalopram vs. paroxetine of Can$6.56/SFD (Can$2362/symptom free year). From the SOC perspective, escitalopram dominated paroxetine as more effective on SFDs and less costly. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated robustness of the model. Limitations include the absence of comorbidities, which are common in practice, lack of long-term data, and assuming that dropouts in trials reflect those in practice.

CONCLUSION

Escitalopram was found to be cost-effective compared with paroxetine in treatment of GAD from the Canadian MoH perspective, and dominating paroxetine from the SOC perspective. Therefore, a possible advantage may exist at the population level in the treatment of GAD with escitalopram in Canada.